Loughborough University and Aspire Sports Consulting and Management LLC (Kotinos) have launched a one-year strategic research and evidence partnership to strengthen the data and policy base for women’s sport across the MENA region. Loughborough will serve as International Research and Evidence Partner for the Riyadiya – Women in Sports Conference in Doha, contributing academic input, data support and participation in action groups, while Kotinos provides regional networks, implementation capacity and opportunities for data collection and impact.
Loughborough University and Kotinos agree strategic partnership to advance women’s sport in the MENA region 15 September 2026 Research Sport Loughborough University and Aspire Sports Consulting and Management LLC (Kotinos) have announced a new strategic research and evidence partnership aimed at advancing the evidence base for women’s sport across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The collaboration will bring together Loughborough’s internationally recognised expertise in women’s sport with Kotinos’ regional knowledge, networks, and implementation capabilities, creating opportunities to generate, interpret and translate research into meaningful policy and practice across the region. The partnership will initially centre on Riyadiya – Women in Sports Conference, taking place in Doha from 16 th – 18 th November 2026, which is an annual event organised by Kotinos in conjunction with regional and global partners. As part of the collaboration, Loughborough University, through its Flagship Research Institute for Women in Sport and wider academic community, will become the International Research and Evidence Partner for Riyadiya, taking a particular role in its Data and Evidence theme. Loughborough academics will contribute international research and evidence relevant to the Middle East and North Africa, participating in Riyadiya Action Groups, contributing academic insight to research content and publications, and supporting the development of a regional research and evidence agenda for women’s sport. The partnership brings together Loughborough’s interdisciplinary expertise, research methodologies and international evidence base with Kotinos’ stakeholder networks and opportunities for data collection, implementation and impact. Under the initial one-year agreement, the organisations will also explore opportunities for a broader, longer-term programme of collaboration. This may include joint and commissioned research, evidence reviews and regional studies; policy, strategy and evidence-led consultancy; and the co-development of conferences, roundtables, workshops and other knowledge-sharing activities. Founded in 2024, Kotinos Sport is a sports consulting, marketing, athlete representation and investment company that is a subsidiary of Aspire Zone Foundation and headquartered in Doha, Qatar, while operating in the MENA region. Professor Leanne Norman, Director of the Loughborough University Flagship Institute for Women in Sport, said: “We are delighted to be working with Kotinos on this exciting new partnership. There is a real opportunity to combine Loughborough’s research expertise and international evidence base with Kotinos’ deep understanding of the region, networks and ability to translate evidence into action. “Importantly, this is about working collaboratively to understand the priorities and experiences of women and girls in sport across the MENA region and ensuring that research and evidence can inform meaningful and sustainable change. “Riyadiya provides a fantastic starting point for that work, but our shared ambition extends beyond the conference. We are excited about the potential to build a longer-term programme of research, evidence and impact that responds to regional priorities and contributes to the continued development of women’s sport.” Ahmad Anani, the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Kotinos said: “Kotinos is proud to be partnering with Loughborough University, one of the world’s leading academic institutions and thought leaders in sports in general and women in sport in particular. “Loughborough University will bring valuable insight into the women in sports conversation that will help shape policies and motivate action across the MENA region. Loughborough University will play a pivotal role in Riyadia, providing essential evidence to help informed policy making and action. “The challenges that women face in the MENA region are unique in many ways. The conversation around such challenges has been stagnant. Having partners like Loughborough University in Riyadiya can accelerate the conversation and underline such issues with a view to creating action-based solutions that are consistent with the global context. “We are looking to build a solid partnership with Loughborough University that brings tailored value to the MENA region. Loughborough University’s global understanding of the sport industry and deep technical and research capabilities, combined with Kotinos’ regional knowledge, access and implementation skills in the MENA region, can only benefit from such a partnership.” For more information on the research and innovation being led in women in sport at Loughborough, visit: www.lboro.ac.uk/research/women-in-sport-hub/ Notes for editors Press Release Reference: 26/213 Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines. It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme and named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2026 QS World University Rankings – the tenth year running. Loughborough has been ranked eighth in the Complete University Guide 2027 – out of 130 institutions. The achievement means Loughborough remains among a select group of universities that have maintained a top 10 position for more than 10 consecutive years, alongside Oxford, Cambridge, the London School of Economics, St Andrews, Durham and Imperial. Loughborough was also named University of the Year for Sport in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 - the fourth time it has been awarded the prestigious title. In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded eight Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education. The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: www.lboro.ac.uk
Loughborough University, Aspire Sports Consulting and Management LLC (Kotinos), Aspire Zone Foundation, Riyadiya – Women in Sports Conference
Loughborough University: Loughborough University is a leading UK university with internationally recognised expertise in women’s sport and will become the International Research and Evidence Partner for the Riyadiya Women in Sports Conference, contributing to its Data and Evidence theme and participating in Riyadiya Action Groups.
Aspire Sports Consulting and Management LLC (Kotinos): Aspire Sports Consulting and Management LLC (Kotinos) is a sports consulting, marketing, athlete representation and investment company headquartered in Doha that is partnering with Loughborough University to provide regional knowledge, networks and implementation capabilities to advance the evidence base for women’s sport in the MENA region and organise Riyadiya.
Aspire Zone Foundation: Aspire Zone Foundation is the parent organisation of Kotinos Sport, with Kotinos described as a subsidiary of Aspire Zone Foundation headquartered in Doha, Qatar.
Riyadiya – Women in Sports Conference: Riyadiya is an annual Women in Sports Conference organised by Kotinos in conjunction with regional and global partners and will host Loughborough University as its International Research and Evidence Partner for the Data and Evidence theme from 16–18 November 2026 in Doha.
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